NASA Space Technology A SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft docked to the International Space Station during Axiom Space's Ax-2 private astronaut mission in May 2023. Credit: NASAWASHINGTON — Companies developing commercial space stations want NASA to offer more opportunities to fly precursor missions to the International Space Station to help them gain experience and stimulate customer interest.As part of a NASA policy in 2019 to promote commercialization of the ISS, the agency said it would allow up to two private astronaut missions, or PAMs, to visit the station each year. NASA subsequently issued a series of requests for proposals for individual PAM opportunities.Three such PAMs have flown to date, all by Axiom Space. A fourth PAM, also by Axiom, is currently scheduled to fly to the station in the spring of 2025.The pace of those missions,...